By AL STOVER
Staff Reporter 

Medical Lake's deer committee holds first meeting

 

Last updated 11/6/2014 at 11:17am



Medical Lake residents packed the City Hall auditorium, Oct. 28, for the Citizens Deer Advisory Committee’s first meeting. The purpose of the committee is for residents to come together and look at methods on how to mitigate the increasing deer population within city limits and forward their recommendations to the City Council.

During the meeting, several citizens voiced their concerns about the negative impact the deer population has had on the community. Some residents shared stories about seeing up to nearly 60 deer on their property or other areas in Medical Lake. Others were concerned about deer attacking their pets and children.

Besides deer encounter stories, one resident asked about deer paths that were blocked over the years due to city development.

Madonna Luers, public information officers for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), said she expected to hear lots of comments and concerns. Besides Luers, several DFW personnel attended the meeting to provide information to residents.

Michael Atamian, District Wildlife Biologist gave a presentation on the mule and white-tail deer in the area. He explained that some deer won’t migrate depending on weather and food availability.

“What you have here is food and shelter, so they don’t have much motivation to migrate,” Atamian said.

Atamian explained that breeding for deer happens around mid-to-late November. He said most fawns are born in June. He added that fawns have 40-70 percent mortality rate.

One of the ways the DFW is managing deer population is hunter pressure. Hunters who use modern firearms can hunt mule deer and white-tailed deer, three-point minimum, from Oct. 11 –19. Hunters 65 and over, disabled or youth can also hunt antlerless white-tailed deer from Nov. 8-19. Atamian added that hunters have 82 percent access to land in the area.

“They can only get to the doe if they have access to the land,” Atamian said.

Some residents were concerned about paying for additional deer tags. Atamian said the cost for a second deer tag is $43.40 for residents. Another concern from citizens is the ordinance that prohibits hunting within the city limits.

Candace Bennett, Wildlife Conflict Specialist explained that some residents see deer as a great wildlife viewing opportunity, however there are concerns from other residents.

“Deer are still wild animals, but they have the potential to cause damage,” Bennett said. “We also have to think about human safety, organized damage and landscaping.”

Bennett suggested that residents use mini-barriers and strong fencing material to keep deer off their property. She also recommended that residents use repellents and scare tactics to keep deer away. Some residents claimed that deterrents are not working for them. Bennett said it might take more than one deterrent to keep the deer away from the property.

Luers said the committee is also a way for residents to provide education and outreach for residents. She added that about 18 citizens were interested in being involved with the committee. The DFW did not recommend a limit to the number of committee members.

“In other communities with the same (deer) problem, over time, committee members eventually honed down to about a dozen, representing a diversity of opinions,” Luers said. “We might see that in Medical Lake.”

The next committee meeting is Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m., at the City Hall auditorium.

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.

 

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